FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 



What are the advantages of working on campus?

What kinds of jobs are there? How many are available?

Am I eligible to work on campus?
Where and how do I start looking for a job?
What is the difference between Work Study and General Student Assistance (GSA)?
How do I use these services?

How do I apply for a position?

I've contacted the department and have been called for an interview.  Now what?
What benefits does on-campus student employment offer me?
Will my work experience be career-related?

I've been hired. Now what?
 

 

What restrictions will be placed on my work?
How and when will I be paid?

What are the individual departmental policies?
Can I take rest periods?
What about the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act?
Do I need to take the Right-to-Know Training?
What is the drug and alcohol policy?

Where do I learn more about Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity?
What is the sexual harassment policy? 

What if I am treated unfairly?
What if I want to resign?

What if I get terminated?

 


What are the advantages of working on campus?

Your job is close to classes.  There is no FICA withheld.  This adds over $.50/hour to your paycheck (minimum half-time status required).  Your work schedule is compatible with your class schedule.  You can begin working as soon as you arrive on campus.  You will receive valuable work experience.  You will receive paycheck every two weeks.
 

What kinds of jobs are there? How many are available?

CMU hires approximately 5,000 students per year as clerks, receptionists, cashiers, computer assistants, food-service workers, laboratory attendants, research aides, tutors, and general laborers to name just a few of the types of on-campus jobs.  Some jobs require no previous experience and some require more specialized training.
 

Am I eligible to work on campus?

If you are enrolled in a degree-granting program at CMU and registered for at least ½ time enrollment for the semester in which you would be working (international students must be enrolled full-time), you are eligible to work on campus.  If you are a new student during the summer you may work on campus in a GSA position, as long as you are planning to be enrolled in the fall.
 

Where and how do I start looking for a job?

Student Employment Services coordinates all on-campus employment, and listing opportunities on our website and on the bulletin board outside of our office, open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  The Student Employment staff is ready to assist you if you have employment questions.
 

What is the difference between Work Study and General Student Assistance (GSA)?

WORK-STUDY
Work-study jobs are available to students who have applied for and have been granted financial aid packages that include Federal or Michigan work-study awards.  Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive work study awards.  

Work-study positions are available in a variety of campus departments.  Students can earn up to their awarded amounts.  Students cannot use their awards for off-campus employment.

Work-study employment is also available during the summer semester.  Students must complete the Summer Aid Application, which is different from the FAFSA, to qualify for summer work-study.  This form is available from the Student Service Court and on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website beginning March 1 of each year.

GENERAL STUDENT ASSISTANCE (GSA)
All students, including international students and students who do not qualify for financial aid, are eligible for GSA employment.  These positions are funded through department budgets.  Students earnings through GSA employment are not limited.
 

How do I use these services?

To find out about available positions, visit the office and examine all current job listings on the Job Bulletin Board and on our website.  For GSA postings, the listing describes the duties of the job, qualifications, hours, and the person to contact.  For work-study postings, the listing describes duties of the job, qualifications, and hours.  The contact person's name can be obtained from the Student Employment Services office (after we verify that you have work-study eligibility) at 989.774.3881.  If you have an interest in a department that does not have a current job posting you are still encouraged to go to that department and express your interest.
 

How do I apply for a position?

When you find an on-campus job that you want to apply for, contact the department, faculty or staff member directly for information about the position. Application procedures vary from department to department.
 

I've contacted the department and have been called for an interview.  Now what?

Below are some hints to help you get hired:

What benefits does on-campus student employment offer me?

Working on campus while you attend college offers a variety of advantages:

Will my work experience be career-related?

All employment while attending school will give you a clearer understanding of the dynamics of the working world.
 

I've been hired.  Now what?

Newly hired on-campus employees must report to Student Employment Services prior to starting work. You will complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form), and W-4 Tax Withholding Certificates for the State and Federal governments.  For this you will need your Social Security Card. If you have lost your social security card, you may apply for a duplicate at the Social Security Administration. If you have never had a social security number, you must also go to the Social Security Administration Office. The Mount Pleasant Social Security Office is located at 1940 Sweeney Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. (Traveling from Mission Street you would turn east on Broomfield.  The office is ¼ mile east on Broomfield from Mission Street.  Sweeney is on the North side of the road, you will see the building right as you turn onto Sweeney).
 

What restrictions will be placed on my work?

It is recommended that Students who are citizens or permanent residents of the US work no more than 20 hours per week. International Students must not exceed 20 hours per week due to visa restrictions. During semester breaks, and the summer semester, students (including International students) can work up to 40 hours per week.
 

How and when will I be paid?

CMU student employees will earn a bi-weekly paycheck based on rate of pay and number of hours worked. Paychecks are delivered directly to the department for which you work.

Student Pay Rates are determined by the department for which they work.  The pay date schedule is available on the Payroll Website
 

What are the individual departmental policies?

All student employees at CMU are subject to the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures that can be found at the CMU Dean of Students Website.  At the date of hire, it is the responsibility of the hiring department to insure that the student understands all of the conditions of employment, including any policies held directly by the hiring department. 
 

Can I take rest periods?

Student employees should be given a 15-minute rest period during each continuous four hours of work. The rest period is to be preceded and followed by a worked period. It should not be used to cover a student's late arrival or early departure.  Rest periods are scheduled by the supervisor and cannot be accumulated. 
 

What about the Americans with Disabilities Act and Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act?

Under the ADA and the MPDCRA, an employer is required to make "reasonable" accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability, unless the accommodations would impose due to hardship on the employer. Please contact Student Disability Services located in the Park Library room 120 for more information.
 

Do I need to take the Right-to-Know Training?

Student employees who could potentially be exposed to hazardous chemicals must be informed of their rights under the law, be trained in specific safety procedures necessary to work with these materials.  Please attend CMU’s on-line Right To Know Training.  Click on “Online Training” then click on “Right to Know.”  Follow the directions from there.   When you complete the training your employer will be contacted or you will receive a certification card.
 

What is the drug and alcohol policy?

Consistent with state and federal law, Central Michigan University will maintain a workplace free from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance.  Please see the written policy.
 

Where do I learn more about Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity?

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community.  CMU does not discriminate in employment against persons based on age, color, disability, gender, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.

Affirmative Action Website
 

What is the sexual harassment policy? 

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act 453 of 1976 as Amended by Public Act 202 of 1980:

Sec 103(h) Discrimination because of sex includes sexual harassment which means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

(i) Submission to such conduct or communication is made a term or condition either explicitly or implicitly to obtain employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing.

(ii) Submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting such individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing.

(iii) Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, public accommodations, public services, education, or housing environment.

This information and more is available from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Online Pamphlet website.  The pamphlet is called, "Unlawful Sexual Harassment: How to Recognize It, How to Stop It, Where to Go for Help."

To get more information including a list of Sexual Harassment Liaisons at CMU access the Affirmative Action website or call: 989.774.3253.

What if I am treated unfairly?

Student employees who feel they have been treated unfairly or improperly in the workplace should meet with their supervisor, and an earnest attempt should be made by both parties to resolve the problem.  If the matter is not brought to a satisfactory conclusion through this meeting, student employees may seek advise and assistance from Student Employment Services.
 

What if I want to resign?

Central Michigan University respects and honors the right of each person to terminate his or her employment at any time and for any reason.  Students should provide two week's notice when employment is voluntarily terminated.
 

What if I get terminated?

Central Michigan University respects and honors the right of each person to terminate his or her employment at any time and for any reason, and because students are "at will" employees, the University retains the same right in terminating the employment of a student at any time.

Disciplinary problems and violation of rules will be dealt with according to the situation and the work record of the employee in compliance with applicable laws.

All University property such as keys, uniforms, and tools must be returned to supervisors before final paychecks are issued.


Student Employment Homepage